What were your favorite books this summer? I saw numerous titles about the season. The one I bought and shared with neighbors was The Foxes Five, a fun children’s book by Angie Mee, illustrated by Katie Costley. It reminded me of family camping adventures with our five young children. “The perfect book to read on a summer day in the shade of a big tree,” Finn commented. (Disclosure: Kay & Ned are the proud parents of Katie & Angie.)
It was a hot summer here in Ogden Utah, and we seniors felt entitled to spend time reading indoors instead of mountain climbing (except twice) and biking (once was enough). Occasionally looking out the window at hired landscapers was all the yard work we did (except five weeds I naturally pulled and my three mums I watered).
Our activities leader chose The Nightingale for our community book club. The historical novel about Nazi invasion and occupation of France was incredibly researched and written by Kristin Hannah. So detailed and sad, it was a struggle for me to read (especially the cold winter ordeals) to the surprise ending. Glad I did, however. Next hot summer, I will choose a children’s title again for easy reading.
Morning exercise in our little group follows Senior Fitness With Meredith on YouTube. We stand or sit “nice and tall” for posture, move slowly to our “range of motion”, and feel various muscles (by name) engage. Deep inhale, “breathing into it”, then full exhale helps all the moves. Stretch and balance. “Nice spinal twists.” “Focus on what you’re doing.” Right or left, she does the opposite of what we’re told to do — easier to mirror. Leaning forward to touch the gym floor feels good for “each one of the vertebrae.” “Little shake-out” after every kind of move is nice. Music with a drummer’s tapping noise keeps pace for the long video — no comment on what that does to my brain. However, my range of motion and balance are improving ... for longer walks, runs, and bike hikes in east Ogden. Love it.
P.S.: Numerous group activities, meals, and snacks are all optional here. Life is good with independent living.
For our anniversary on 9 July 2017, I posted photos of our Sunday travels, including church in Blanding on the way home from Colorado and New Mexico. I did most of the driving on Kay's days of rest. She is truly my beautiful, eternal companion!
In 2018, we celebrated our anniversary on a mission p-day break by Anchor Bay, New Baltimore MI. There was peace by the water that July.
Anniversary Special 2019: A fun train ride from Ogden. As I walked around the Salt Lake Temple and sat in the Assembly Hall, special memories of Kay, her father, and Grandmother Cannon brought me joy.
On the first Tuesday of July 2020, I posted a progress report including a tire repair at an Ogden bike shop. And it was a special day, feeling close to my sweetheart Kay.
It seems like every July is about our life together — especially on our 50th in 2021. Our family met at my place in Bountiful for entertainment and ice cream, then over at our family-tradition restaurant for the buffet dinner. Next day, Kay’s siblings met at brother Lon’s in Holladay and shared precious memories as tributes after a superb feast. (My assigned talk focused on music.) We knew it was young Kay who made us all smile. Homemade lemon ice cream, their family tradition, was icing on the cake. How sweet it is — the time of our life ... especially in the memorable month of July!
We go back in time to celebrate sacrifice and success. So, here are fast-food excerpts from years ago.
[2012] We remember the pioneers, some of whom are my Cannon and Rich ancestors. Pioneer stories are intrinsic (“belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing” -- Merriam-Webster) to the history of Utah, as well as other areas all over the world. ... Something close to two thousand Latter-day Saints in thirteen companies had arrived at the Salt Lake Valley before the end of 1847.” -- George Q. Cannon – A Biography (©1999, Deseret Book Company) by Davis Bitton, page 55)
[2013] The highlight of the day for Kay & me was attending, with dear friends who saved second-row seats, the free annual concert put on by Layton City ... Riders in the Sky performed in the amphitheater to a standing-room-only crowd ... and also the fireworks afterward.
[2014] "... the Riches [and Cannons] arrived at their destination ... on October 2, 1847. The company ... numbered about two thousand persons.”(Charles Coulson Rich / Pioneer Builder of the West by John Henry Evans, ©1936, p. 131)
[2017] About ten days of celebration ended on the 24th of July ... We honor the Mormon pioneers who endured the westward trek to Utah, some dying along the way, others arriving in 1847 and subsequent years before the railroad.
[2018] Ben Tullis wrote for the Deseret News (July 23, 2014, seen now on deseretnews.com): “What life was like for the Mormon pioneers after entering the Salt Lake Valley”. ... President Young ... looked down at the Salt Lake Valley from Emigration Canyon on [Saturday] July 24. ... he said, “It is enough. This is the right place. Drive on.”
[2019] Pioneers Close to My Heart: ... Charles C. Rich, an Apostle and a leader in the second group. George Q. Cannon and his siblings ... John Taylor, George Q’s uncle who taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Cannon Family in Liverpool, England, 1840. Ira Nathaniel Hinckley, called by President Brigham Young in April 1867, to build strategic Cove Fort at Cove Creek, central Utah. My family and I are grateful for our pioneer heritage. We honor the women, men, and children who endured the trek west “with faith in every footstep”.
How many times have you heard, “Things will work out all right.” Or maybe, “Everything will work out in the end.” Reassuring, encouraging, hopeful, or wishful thinking. I know — that can be a stretch. Sometimes we just get what we expect, such as a favorable outcome.
I believe in the power of positive thinking, sometimes saying, “Don’t worry; be happy.” After all, it’s a great life we have here ... with the right attitude.
For example, the weekly Tai Chi workout in our apartments’ activity room helps us seniors maintain a healthy mindset. Stretching exercises and mental workouts called brain games are on our daily schedules. Life seems to be working out alright for me, especially when I take time for healthy meals in our dining room — no fast food there!
A day full of sweet memories, celebrating our 51st wedding anniversary.
Pictures say more than I can think to write tonight ... with love for my eternal companion, Kay.
on a walk around our block
in Roseville Michigan 2018